Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-22
ANXIOUS TO DE A WIDOW.
She Marries, bat Her Consumptive
Husband Refuses TO Die.

A San Francisco special says: A de-
tailed and interesting account OF the r.
msrkabIc marriage contracted by a lady OF
wealth snd social position with poor con-
sumptiye printer. for the express purpose
Of attaining the blessed state Of widowhood,
~ printed by the Examiner, NJ this city.
THE young lady IL Miss Lille +. Brown, OF
Oakland. ON coming OF age. last Octo'
Der, she received fsrtune OF $4,000 from
Der aibeT's estate. The possession OF tins
money inspired Der with a desire to enjoy
life freed from the restraints imposed upon
young spinstcrs by social conventi0nalities.
While living at the Brunswick House, in
Oaklsnd. she proposed 10 a friend, widow
also stopping there, that they take pleasure
trip to the Yosemite together. The widow
sssCntcd, suggesting that II they could both
travel rs widows their enjoyment OF the
trip would be greatly enhanced. "a
widow" sh, slyly insinuatcd, "can go
about with freedom. fllrt, and have lots OF
fun; but young girl has to De caroiul."
Miss Brown was greatly taken by the idea.
Black would certainly become her blonde
beauty, she knew. II one could only be.
cone a widow without first being wife
she sighed.
Another friend, Captain Richard Apgar,
who lived with bis wife at the hotel, was
taken into tue ladies' cOnfij euce. When
spprised of the ambition OF the young
heire,s he laughed and said Why, no.
thing could be easier. Thereare hundreds
II en- dying in Sun Francisco all the time.
IN find YOU one" The wOuld.be widow
hailed The Captains brilliant idea with de.
light. lie proved IS good as hi, word
GOirg to DIR. Arson A. Du Puy, a friend
OF his, he asked that physician il he knew
Of man not likely 10 live more than c)u-
ple Of weeks who would be willing to
marry rich maiden DESTROYS OF changing
her state 10 that OF charming young
widow.
IL have inst the man." said DR.. Du Puv.
Frank Mckee, young printer, whom i
am treating for consumption, is almost dy-
ing. only your young lady will have to
bury the nuptials, for he may not last two
days" Next day the marriage was per-
forme at the Doctors office by justice OF
the peace. After the ceremony the almost
unconscious groom was taken back home
and put to bed.
Since then his bride has been impatlently
waiting for him TO die. She has even pro-
yidcd sums amounting 20 $1,000 to defray
the expenses OF his supposedly short re-
naming span OF life and OF a tirst-class
funeral when he died. DR.. Du Puy's In.
tereStng patient, beng provided with all
the luXurcs and delicscies he crsyed ont OF
the money. has eyinced strange and per.
sisteut inclination to dissppoint all the eX-
Rotations built upon the strange marriage.
So far from dying he has gro yu stout and
strong, and evidently has no intention OF
immediately departing this vale OF tears.
MEETING his bride on the streets few
weeks ago, he assured her OF his abiding
love. aud expressed desire TINT his hlppi-
ness should De crowned by their living to-
getber. To thus Mrs. Mckee returned an
indignant refusal. Though the unrelsOna-
BILE man insisted on living in violation OF
the understanding that he should die
speedily, she did not dare TO resist his APP
peal for funds. The secret OF the mar
rage was well kept all this time. though
blackmailer bad tried to bleed the hereS,
by threats Of making it public. On appeal
ing 10 counsel she found that she could do
nothing TO extricate herself from the di-
lemmq. While her husband lived she wa'
his wife. and although she could refuse TO
live with him, she could not obtain di-
yorce.
A reporter. calling on Mrs. Mckee to-
day, witnessed a strange scene. There was
soft knock on the door, and the lady,
rising 10 open It, much to her surprise was
confronted by her husband. He slid into
a chair with a weary. remorseful look. His
wife withdrew to few feet, and surveying
the Intruder angrily demanded ia icy
tones
"Whlt do you want here, sir?" Before
be could reply Mckee was seized with
violent 1T Of coughing. At this Mrs. Me-
KEGS face Frightened. Hope shOne In her
eyes. But the light died out as Mckee re-
gained hi5 cOmposurc. add it appeared that
the spl,ms were merely the consequence OF
a quid Of tobacco having lodged in his
throat.
81 Just wanted to let you know that |
had nothing to do with putting it IN the
papers" he said in contrite tone. With
an exclamation of disgust, Mrs Mckee
seated herself on an ottoman obviously
waiting for her unwelc0me spouse to go.
His iet.black curls end pale, sad face, liz by
pOurnful eyes Of tenderest hazel, evidently
did not interest her. On his part, settliOg
himself in his chair, Mckee continued to
gaze for several minutes with an express
sion ~ wrapt but wOful devotion on the
reed.like form OF his young bride. Rising
at last, ne held out his hand and said
Goodbye"
Goodbye" she answered eOldly, and
without noticing the profiered hand. In
Lea. Ia